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Oklahoma State Department of Education • www.sde.state.ok.us
Results in Class Volume 39 Number 2
WINTER 2009-2010
Help keep our schools safe. 1-877-SAFE-CALL ext. 0K1 • 1-877-723-3225 ext. 651
Record Enrollment, New National Reports Page 2
Workshops, Conferences and Opportunities Page 3
Upcoming Events Page 4
Results 2009
by State Superintendent
Sandy Garrett
Throughout American history, the ringing of school and church
bells has proclaimed triumph and extolled tragedy; the ringing of
bells has sometimes been a call to arms to rally support from the
surrounding community.
Possibly as much as ever in Oklahoma history, alarm bells need
to be heard loudly and clearly for public schools.
Oklahoma's falling state revenues have forced school leaders'
backs to the wall, with little ground left to give without sacrificing
services for children, losing highly qualified teachers, and slowing
our progress in early childhood education, middle-level innovation
and high school reform.
Last month alone, state revenues to Oklahoma schools were
$11.8 million lower than expected. The combined shortfall to
date exceeds $28 million, and state-supported agencies have
been directed to plan for not less than 5 percent reduction in
"General Revenue" funds through the remainder of this fiscal year
(a $77 million reduction in state payments to schools).
However, public schools have an even bigger problem: a 7.1
percent reduction in November payments because of a shortfall in
the 19-year-strong "House Bill 1017 Revolving Fund" along with
the general revenue fund deficit. The education reform fund,
approximately 30 percent of public school revenues, comes from a
mixture of personal and corporate income taxes, sales and use taxes,
and tobacco and gaming revenues.
To emphasize the "dire emergency" we see in school funding,
the State Board of Education on November 17 voted unanimously on
a resolution asking the Governor and state Legislature to access the
state's "Rainy Day Fund," in keeping with its constitutional purpose.
This would provide immediate relief from critical, ongoing shortfalls
in state education funding for the current school year, Fiscal Year 2010.
On the same day, Governor Henry said he is considering a special
session in January to ask legislators to tap the state's savings account
to help support services budgeted for the current year. Governor
Henry said he will know more after the State Board of Equalization
meets in December to revise state revenue estimates for the current
year and certify state revenues projected for next fiscal year. The
regular legislative session begins February 1, 2010.
Unless lawmakers take some action very soon, our State Board
of Education will be requesting a supplemental appropriation from
the Legislature to pay for state-mandated health insurance for
teachers and support staff, given the double impact of increased
insurance premiums and reduced state revenue.
Ongoing revenue shortfalls are limiting your ability to prepare ah
students for college and the workforce at a time when our state needs
to compete for quality jobs, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Several school superintendents told us in November that teachers
See "Results 2009,"page 4
N% OSt&
2010 Teacher of the Year
It is easy to see how Brian Grimm's energy
and infectious enthusiasm for teaching helped him
become Oklahoma's 2010 Teacher of the Year.
An English teacher at Will Rogers High
School in Tulsa, Grimm was
named in ceremonies at the
State Fair in September and
honored by the State Board
of Education in October.
It's been nearly 50 years
since the last Oklahoma
Teacher of the Year hailed
from Tulsa Public Schools,
but Grimm represents the
district and state well with his
affinity for learning and devotion to his students.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Grimm's family includes
a long line of educators and,
even as a child, he knew he
Will Rogers High School Principal Lyda Wilbur
told State Board of Education members on October
29 that Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Brian Grimm
"has a heart for kids and a heart for our school."
In his fifth year at Tulsa Public Schools, Grimm
is currently presenting to education and civic
groups and prospective teachers throughout
Oklahoma as its Ambassador of Teaching.
wanted to be a teacher. Upon receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Science and
Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, Grimm went to
Texas and taught for more than a dozen years.
Grimm admits to feeling
temporarily overwhelmed by
the economic and social challenges students and teachers
faced in his high poverty school,
but says a collaborative effort
of stakeholders—students, parents, colleagues, administrators
and community members—
helped Will Rogers improve
test scores and get off the
School Improvement List.
Grimm told State Board
members, "Will Rogers is a
school on the move!...The
teachers there are incredible
educators."
The 2009-10 Oklahoma Early
Childhood Educator of the Year
The 2009-10 Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year also hails from Tulsa
Public Schools! Jill Davis, a nationally board certified Pre-K teacher at Kendall-Whittier
Elementary, was recently honored by the Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma.
She will receive $1,000 in gifts from the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
Foundation, the Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma, and the University of Central
Oklahoma. Davis is a graduate of Northeastern State University and is a former finalist
for the Tulsa district's Teacher of the Year.
2010 Milken Educator
Before a cheering audience of students,
faculty and state and national leaders, Principal
Chris Brewster of Oklahoma City Public School's
Santa Fe South Charter High School was recognized as Oklahoma's only 2010 National Milken
Educator Award last month. The Milken honor
comes with a $25,000 unrestricted check and an
all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles next year.
Brewster, principal of Santa Fe South since it
opened in 2001, gave credit for the award to the
students and faculty at the school. In the past
five years, the high school's API score has
increased from 944 to 1,214 on the 0-1,500
scale. "Teachers truly make the difference," said
Brewster. "It is an honor to be in the most
important profession."
Santa Fe South serves about 900 students,
Superintendent Garrett congratulates
Chris Brewster, Oklahoma's sole 2010
Milken Educator Award recipient.
with both a
middle school
and a high
school at the
location. The
student population is 82
percent Hispanic, and 93
percent qualify for free or reduced meals, a federal poverty indicator.
This year, 51 educators across the nation
were honored. In the decade since Oklahoma
became a "Milken state," only 23 Oklahoma
educators have received the award, including one
other principal (Jean Brassfield, then principal
at Pershing Elementary in Muskogee, in 2000).

This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders.

Full text

Oklahoma State Department of Education • www.sde.state.ok.us
Results in Class Volume 39 Number 2
WINTER 2009-2010
Help keep our schools safe. 1-877-SAFE-CALL ext. 0K1 • 1-877-723-3225 ext. 651
Record Enrollment, New National Reports Page 2
Workshops, Conferences and Opportunities Page 3
Upcoming Events Page 4
Results 2009
by State Superintendent
Sandy Garrett
Throughout American history, the ringing of school and church
bells has proclaimed triumph and extolled tragedy; the ringing of
bells has sometimes been a call to arms to rally support from the
surrounding community.
Possibly as much as ever in Oklahoma history, alarm bells need
to be heard loudly and clearly for public schools.
Oklahoma's falling state revenues have forced school leaders'
backs to the wall, with little ground left to give without sacrificing
services for children, losing highly qualified teachers, and slowing
our progress in early childhood education, middle-level innovation
and high school reform.
Last month alone, state revenues to Oklahoma schools were
$11.8 million lower than expected. The combined shortfall to
date exceeds $28 million, and state-supported agencies have
been directed to plan for not less than 5 percent reduction in
"General Revenue" funds through the remainder of this fiscal year
(a $77 million reduction in state payments to schools).
However, public schools have an even bigger problem: a 7.1
percent reduction in November payments because of a shortfall in
the 19-year-strong "House Bill 1017 Revolving Fund" along with
the general revenue fund deficit. The education reform fund,
approximately 30 percent of public school revenues, comes from a
mixture of personal and corporate income taxes, sales and use taxes,
and tobacco and gaming revenues.
To emphasize the "dire emergency" we see in school funding,
the State Board of Education on November 17 voted unanimously on
a resolution asking the Governor and state Legislature to access the
state's "Rainy Day Fund," in keeping with its constitutional purpose.
This would provide immediate relief from critical, ongoing shortfalls
in state education funding for the current school year, Fiscal Year 2010.
On the same day, Governor Henry said he is considering a special
session in January to ask legislators to tap the state's savings account
to help support services budgeted for the current year. Governor
Henry said he will know more after the State Board of Equalization
meets in December to revise state revenue estimates for the current
year and certify state revenues projected for next fiscal year. The
regular legislative session begins February 1, 2010.
Unless lawmakers take some action very soon, our State Board
of Education will be requesting a supplemental appropriation from
the Legislature to pay for state-mandated health insurance for
teachers and support staff, given the double impact of increased
insurance premiums and reduced state revenue.
Ongoing revenue shortfalls are limiting your ability to prepare ah
students for college and the workforce at a time when our state needs
to compete for quality jobs, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Several school superintendents told us in November that teachers
See "Results 2009,"page 4
N% OSt&
2010 Teacher of the Year
It is easy to see how Brian Grimm's energy
and infectious enthusiasm for teaching helped him
become Oklahoma's 2010 Teacher of the Year.
An English teacher at Will Rogers High
School in Tulsa, Grimm was
named in ceremonies at the
State Fair in September and
honored by the State Board
of Education in October.
It's been nearly 50 years
since the last Oklahoma
Teacher of the Year hailed
from Tulsa Public Schools,
but Grimm represents the
district and state well with his
affinity for learning and devotion to his students.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Grimm's family includes
a long line of educators and,
even as a child, he knew he
Will Rogers High School Principal Lyda Wilbur
told State Board of Education members on October
29 that Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Brian Grimm
"has a heart for kids and a heart for our school."
In his fifth year at Tulsa Public Schools, Grimm
is currently presenting to education and civic
groups and prospective teachers throughout
Oklahoma as its Ambassador of Teaching.
wanted to be a teacher. Upon receiving his bachelor's degree from the University of Science and
Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, Grimm went to
Texas and taught for more than a dozen years.
Grimm admits to feeling
temporarily overwhelmed by
the economic and social challenges students and teachers
faced in his high poverty school,
but says a collaborative effort
of stakeholders—students, parents, colleagues, administrators
and community members—
helped Will Rogers improve
test scores and get off the
School Improvement List.
Grimm told State Board
members, "Will Rogers is a
school on the move!...The
teachers there are incredible
educators."
The 2009-10 Oklahoma Early
Childhood Educator of the Year
The 2009-10 Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year also hails from Tulsa
Public Schools! Jill Davis, a nationally board certified Pre-K teacher at Kendall-Whittier
Elementary, was recently honored by the Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma.
She will receive $1,000 in gifts from the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
Foundation, the Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma, and the University of Central
Oklahoma. Davis is a graduate of Northeastern State University and is a former finalist
for the Tulsa district's Teacher of the Year.
2010 Milken Educator
Before a cheering audience of students,
faculty and state and national leaders, Principal
Chris Brewster of Oklahoma City Public School's
Santa Fe South Charter High School was recognized as Oklahoma's only 2010 National Milken
Educator Award last month. The Milken honor
comes with a $25,000 unrestricted check and an
all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles next year.
Brewster, principal of Santa Fe South since it
opened in 2001, gave credit for the award to the
students and faculty at the school. In the past
five years, the high school's API score has
increased from 944 to 1,214 on the 0-1,500
scale. "Teachers truly make the difference," said
Brewster. "It is an honor to be in the most
important profession."
Santa Fe South serves about 900 students,
Superintendent Garrett congratulates
Chris Brewster, Oklahoma's sole 2010
Milken Educator Award recipient.
with both a
middle school
and a high
school at the
location. The
student population is 82
percent Hispanic, and 93
percent qualify for free or reduced meals, a federal poverty indicator.
This year, 51 educators across the nation
were honored. In the decade since Oklahoma
became a "Milken state," only 23 Oklahoma
educators have received the award, including one
other principal (Jean Brassfield, then principal
at Pershing Elementary in Muskogee, in 2000).